PREGAME NOTES: Bochy’s preference is to get bullpen help; Gaudin questionable for next start

The rumor mill is heating up as July approaches, and you can bet that Brian Sabean, Bobby Evans and others in the front office are looking at all options as they try to fix a banged-up team that’s just two games over .500. Bruce Bochy directed any specifics in Sabean’s direction, but Bochy did make it clear that he has a preference when it comes to trade deadline acquisitions.

“You look in the bullpen, that’s where we need some help,” Bochy said.

What about the lineup that is without Angel Pagan for an extended period and hasn’t hit a home run in eight games?

“I think if you look at our lineup, we’re pretty set at almost every position,” Bochy said. “You go around the infield, these are our guys. The one place you may say, well, you could make a change would be in the outfield, but Pence is going to be out there. You have to love the way Blanco’s been playing. And between Torres, who’s got the experience and swung the bat well before he hurt his knee in that game, and Perez, we think we have the guys here that can get it done.”
The Giants are fifth in the National League in runs, and Bochy isn’t blowing smoke when he says “these are our guys.” Buster Posey, Brandon Belt (sorry conspiracy theorists: Even with an early-season illness, he’s made 64 starts in 75 games), Marco Scutaro, Brandon Crawford and Pablo Sandoval are everyday players when healthy. Hunter Pence has missed just four innings all season and Gregor Blanco has developed into an everyday player.

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The Giants may be without Angel Pagan for six to eight weeks, but they saw what can happen (Hello, Zack Wheeler) when you try to acquire an impact bat in the outfield. Plus, surgery or not, Pagan is expected back for the stretch run.

The starting staff has been an issue for most of the season, but the Giants starters actually have a 2.30 ERA the past two times through the rotation.

“I think Chad (Gaudin) was throwing the ball well,” Bochy said. “He’s the question mark right now. But four spots there are locked in. Now, we had to put Chad in the rotation, he was throwing the ball very well. Sure, we think we can get it done with him.”

Gaudin did not throw his bullpen session today, and Bochy said Gaudin was more sore “than we were hoping” on Saturday. At the moment, Bochy is meeting with the trainers and the brain trust to figure out what the Giants will do on Tuesday. Gaudin could still start, even without a bullpen session, but it’s not looking good. Mike Kickham would be on his normal rest if he’s the guy.

— Pablo Sandoval (left foot strain) is back in the clubhouse and ready to be activated tomorrow in Los Angeles. “It was great to see Pablo,” Bochy said. “He felt great and he’s swinging the bat well. This lineup needs a little shot in the arm and his presence will help.”

— Santiago Casilla (minor knee surgery) feels good after throwing a bullpen session yesterday. Casilla could face hitters in Los Angeles and then leave for a rehab assignment. “The arm was never an issue,” Bochy said. “It’s good, it’s fresh.”

— Sergio Romo is available today, even though he was called upon for five outs yesterday. Bochy looks at pitch count (Romo threw 20) more than out count.

“He pitched very efficiently,” Bochy said.

Yesterday was Romo’s first non-save appearance in the eighth inning this season. Here’s what Bochy said about the decision: “Couple things: it was a much-needed win and he had two days off. He was the freshest guy down there, so he was going to go get an out there, game’s on the line at that point, Stanton up at the plate. Then he had an easy ninth, so that’s why I let him start the next inning. He wasn’t going to finish that inning because all they had were left-handed hitters and once he got to that guy, then Lopez was coming in.”

— Bochy on the fan interference epidemic at AT&T Park:

“Part of it is what we have here. It’s special. We’re sold out and we have all those seats taken up. So it’s a lot easier if every seat’s filled because they cover every wall out there. I will say that’s the first … I don’t know if we’ll see that again what happened yesterday at that part of the ballpark.

“You know, if I’m a fan, my first reaction’s to go for that ball. I want it, too.”

Alex Pavlovic

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Bochy has nailed it. Bullpen is where the crying need happens to be. Neither Runzler nor Hembree appear to be ready at this time. One or two solid RH RPs could be had at relatively low cost to the pipeline. Get it done Sabes.

Mavo

Let’s hope Cainer is up to shutting down these pesky fish today for a winning homestand.

I am reposting a long story because I spent a lot of time on this and some would not have seen it since I posted it early this morning.

A little Giants history for those that like to read baseball stories. Enjoy …and Go Giants!!

Bobby Bonds Debut – The 45th Anniversary

This Tuesday our Giants will be playing the Dodgers. It is also the 45th anniversary of Bobby Bonds debut against the Dodgers also on a Tuesday night. And what a debut it was! In Bobby Bonds first game in the big leagues he made an instant impact on this heated age old Giants vs Dodgers rivalry!

I think younger Giants fans would like to know the context of this debut and older Orange and Black fans be reminded of a sweet memory. The Giants were in the midst of being bridesmaids 5 straight years! They were again chasing the defending champion St Louis Cardinals for the elusive pennant. 1968 was rightly called The Year of the Pitcher! The slugging Giants with Hall of Famers Mays and McCovey plus slugger Jim Ray Hart barely hit 100 HRs that season. Pitching that season was so dominant that the LEAGUE ERA for the NL was 2.99 and after the season to boost offense baseball lowered the mound from 15 inches to where it is today … 10 inches.

Bobby Bonds had been tearing up the Pacific Coast League that Spring. He was batting a cool .370 with an OPS of over 1,000. I remember following his progress weekly in The Sporting News … at that time truly the bible of baseball. It was merely a matter of time for him to get called up. And the call came on June 25, 1968.

The Giants were opening up a 13 game homestand at The Stick against the hated Bums from LA. So it was with much interest that we all waited to see what this phenom Bobby Bonds could do. Could he boost the offense to give us a chance against the Cards this summer?

The pitching matchup was a pair of stylish lefties, Claude Osteen for the Dodgers and the much maligned by Giants fans, Ray Sadecki. Most of us Giants fans had not forgiven poor Sadecki for being the player who was acquired for our beloved Baby Bull, Orlando Cepeda, two years before. All Orlando did in 1967, the year after the trade, was win the NL MVP and lead the Cardinals over the 2nd place Giants to the World Championship!! We did not care that Sadecki was having two good years as a Giant. He went 12-6 in 1967 with a sub 3 ERA and this year of the pitcher he actually again had a good 2.78 ERA threw six shutouts .. but runs were so scarce even on the slugging Giants .. he led the NL that year with 18 losses ( and fans used to fret over Matt Cain not having run support)!! This night he was to throw the best game of his Giants career .. a two hit shutout with 10 K’s!

But all attention was on the 22 year old Bonds making his debut in the 7 hole that night. Going to the sixth Bobby had grounded to short in his first AB and then got plunked by Osteen in the 5th. But even that helped the Giants score as it loaded the bases with no outs and they tallied when Hal Lanier hit into a DP.

So it was Giants 1-0 going to the bottom of the sixth. Sadecki had only given up one hit .. a double to the pitcher Osteen in the third while striking out 7! But in the sixth the Giants started to get to Osteen. The ex-Dodger and new Giant that year, Ron Hunt, led off with a single. He moved to third on a double by Jesus Alou. Then the Dodgers walked McCovey to load the bases and pitch to Mays!! Yes you read that right .. they walked McCovey a lefty-lefty matchup, to pitch to the best ballplayer in history in my opinion .. .Willie Mays! Fans today do not realize what terror Stretch McCovey struck in the hearts of baseball managers back in his prime … even in the year of the pitcher!! How did it work out for the Dodgers? … Osteen walked Mays to force in a run and make it 2-0. Walter Alston went to the bullpen for John Purdin a hard-throwing righthander with some promise. Purdin promply walked Jim Ray Hart to force in a third run and it was 3-0. Still none out and bases juiced. Purdin rallied and struck out Jack Hiatt. One out, bases loaded and here came the rookie Bobby Bonds to the plate. Could he ice the game for the Giants and make it a blow out. Could he!!! He laced a Purdin pitch out of The Stick, wind be damned, for a grand slam in his first game in the majors! Giants 7 Dodgers 0 and joy all around Northern California for those that heard Lon Simmons “Tell it GOODBYE!!” Game to the Giants especially with Sadecki blanking the Bums that night.

So that is the way the super talented Bobby Bonds broke into the majors that Tuesday night 45 years ago … in the midst of The Year of the Pitcher and against our blood rivals the Dodgers. Barry’s daddy could play some ball also!! This Tuesday night, give a thought to the late Bobby Bonds and maybe tip your Giants cap that I’m sure you have on!!

Atlas

Go Giants!

H-Boston

I’m being serious now, what would
it take for the Giants to get
Mike Trout?

“The Giants may be without Angel Pagan for six to eight weeks, but they saw what can happen (Hello, Zack Wheeler) when you try to acquire an impact bat in the outfield.”

That’s a clown statement, bro. Hunter Pence, anyone?

Wheeler is not why the Giants aren’t pursuing an outfielder — its as you’ve stated, they already have a respectable enough outfield. Pitching is priority.

Mavo

I want to thank those that enjoyed my history story of Bobby Bonds’ debut 45 years ago! I especially like Lefty’s referencing her wedding anniversary on the same day! Mathew relayed a great story of his sister and him listening to the radio back then. And finally, thanks to totalfan62, John … for his wonderful memories of Willie McCovey! I once had the chance to sit and chat with Willie Mac at a Giants ticket function. He is such a gentleman and so humble. That half hour I spent chatting with him is one of my highlights of my life!! Bravo John for sharing with us!

Go Giants!!

South City Jim

Thanks Mavo. I was 10 years old in 1968 and Bobby was one of my first “favorite” players.

Atlas

Summary:

- Bochy’s priority is the bullpen.
- Bochy knows the outfield is questionable but is totally fine with Pence, Perez, and Torres, with Pagan back down the road.
- The starting rotation seems to be performing better.
- Pablo and his bat are back.
- Casilla and his arm on the way back.
- Bochy understands fans going for the ball all the time because, who doesn’t want to get a ball?

And my favorite part of all and my favorite bit of all recent blogs:

On Belt: On Belt: “(sorry conspiracy theorists: Even with an early-season illness, he’s made 64 starts in 75 games)”

Sam

Thereis only 7 spota in the Bullpen. 4 are guaranteed to
Romo/JA/Casilla/Lopez.

Unfortunately Mijares is semi-guaranteed for 5th spot.

That leaves 2 spots open.

Dunning/Machi/Rosario/Kontos. Who is available that is aubstantially better than these guys?

What they need is to have the guys they have to pitch better and not necessarily add another arm.

South City Jim

Game time. Go Giants!!!

Sam

Matthew,

Is the Kuiper drinking game in effect?

Sam

I feel a Cain 2 hitter today

Sam

How can all these scrubs homer at ATT but our guys can’t?

Matthew

Sam..I don’t think I’m up for it… I would pass out by 1:30.

Bradley, thanks for the premonition. Yikes

TrainWreck

Like the Padres, the Fish have absolutely no trouble muscling up at AT&T. The home team, sadly and maddeningly, is a quite different story. One wonders whether Los Gigantes will ever homer again.

anthillunda2nd

Blanco’s shot was a homer everywhere….just a triple @ one lonely park that is our gem.

I still haven’t seen a hand grab that ball. Is there conclusive evidence that the ball bounced high enough up the wall and was in reach?? From the bounce it seems to disappear into a hole or a nook, we’ve got a mystery here unless there is a GIF out there that proves 100% that a fan grabbed it.

Kickham part deux!!

Ty

You add a starting pitcher at the deadline and you can improve your bullpen internally putting Guadin back in the bullpen plus Casilla is returning soon. That’s two pen arms right there without making a trade.

Just wondering

Wreck: other teams have pitched to their scouting reports better than the Giants. Or maybe the Giants’ reports or just no good. For whatever reason they pitch to strength a lot.

They also seem unconcerned with trying to manufacture runs while they have no power. Or maybe there is little competence. Who knows, but theyve spent a lot of money to have so few skills among the reserves.

Gerry Maynes

Hi, I was a kid but I remember that game and that season. McCovey hit 37 Homers and Mays 27 and a 289 average, after a poor 67 season. Jim Ray Hart was sent to Phoenix of the Pacific Coast for what was rumored to be substance abuse and hit 250 with only 3 homers in limited play. Jim Davenport was the regular at third and only had a hand full of extra base hits all season. Jack Hiat and Dick Dietz did most of the catching and hit about 17 homers between them. Alou hit 264, lanier 2.08. Bonds hit 9 homers stole a ton of bases and gave the Giants a plausible offense. The giants had a starting staff of Marichal 27 gam e winner, Perry, McCormick, Sadecki and Bob Bolin ( Bolin had a earned average under 2.00 that year). Ken Henderson was still a year off, Ollie Brown went in the draft . Fuentes was still learning how to hit the curve down at triple a. yes Mccovey in 67,68,69 was the best power Bat in the NL and perhaps all baseball.

Giant PITA

The ball hit for a HR was right down the pipe. Like lost of the bombs given up by Cain they are on him for poor location.

http://nada paul in p.v.

Boston: “I’m being serious now, what would
it take for the Giants to get
Mike Trout?”

pps. (previous post): Snorkel and I were squirming for 4 hours yesterday, wondering why these Fish seem to have our number, and it occurred to me: they’re playing loose. Just look at Ozuna, the way he’s carrying himself in the field. They got nuthin’ to lose, and it shows. Meanwhile we got everything to lose, and couldn’t buy a hit for 5 innings yesterday. There’s not that much difference between players at this level, and looseness and confidence feed into wins.

Guess Rugiano proved my point, the way he teed off on the first pitch. Gilligan

Doughnut

Did Eovaldi always throw this hard? He is hitting 97 on the gun. I don’t remember that at all with the Dodgers. I thought he was a finesse guy. I guess not

Doughnut

I heard the Marlins may be interested in moving Steve Cishek. Bochy could do wonders with an arm like that.

Giant PITA

Paul,
What’s the gilligan thing about? Sorry, I must be slow.

Polioptila

Unfortunately for Bochy, he can’t put Zito out there every day, and the dropoff to the rest of the rotation is precipitous.

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

C. Gaudan was running his mouth about making his nxt start the other day now all of a sudden his nxt start is in jeopardy?

http://nada paul in p.v.

Doughnut – Bochy said (pre-game show) that Eovaldi was hitting 99 in his last couple starts. Oh oh.

Polioptila

Boston: “I’m being serious now, what would
it take for the Giants to get
Mike Trout?”

“Buster Posey. But I ain’t serious. Gilligan”

The Angels would be insane to even consider it. Trout has HOF written all over him, while The Poseur merely reads “injury shortened career.”

They should cut away from the 5 year old eating the hot dog before Kruk gets himself in trouble.

Lefty

Gaudin’s in an interesting spot. He’s been a journeyman starter/reliever for years, and until opportunity knocked with Vogelsong’s injury, he hadn’t made a start since 2009. So he’s made four now–two quite good, one shakier, one going well until he was knocked out with the injury.

If Gaudin stays in the rotation and pitches well until Vogelsong comes back, he could make an argument for staying a starter, especially if Lincecum or Vogelsong falters. In any case, he could market himself as a starter after this season.

This is to say that this shot in the rotation is a fortuitous second chance for Gaudin that could be very good for his career and earning power. You bet he doesn’t want to miss a start. What if Kickham pitches great and they decide to put Gaudin back in the depleted bullpen?

That’s how narrow a margin it can be for a guy like Gaudin.

Giant PITA

Show the F-ing game!

http://nada paul in p.v.

Sam – LMAO.

Ploptila – forget it.

Polioptila

So which will be Gnatt Cain’s implosion inning today?

OMT

Umm… Sheesh, 3 shots of fans in the Eovaldi AB with cuts back to Cain already in his windup TWICE, then before we can see if the 1b ump called a check swing or not, right back to the kids. More air time of the fans than the AB.

ENOUGH!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

Doughnut

Lefty
I was thinking the same thing when I heard how adamant Gaudin was about making his next start. But good for him. He got an opportunity and he wants to make the most out of it. I think everybody on here realizes now that Gaudin has been sorely missed in the bullpen.

http://nada paul in p.v.

Kruk: “The hotdog is the backbone of our business.”

Then why don’t you give your vendors a raise, you cheap cabron? Gilligan

Doughnut

CSNBA producers are the worst. This is unbearable. This is baseball!!! SHow the game.

Polioptila

Nice to see Torres back in form, offensively. It will be interesting to see what key miscue he makes today, and when.

Just wondering

29 pitches in 3 innings. Appears to be more of the sane

Sam

You can hear Kruk and Kuip talking while eating those hot dogs. Very unprofessional guys.

TrainWreck

The pathetic lack of offense is really old now. What are we going to hear after Eovaldi blows these guys away–that he’s a great pitcher and you simply have to tip your cap to him? Barf! Get up off the mat and hit like big leaguers.

Flapjack

At any point it’s either the starters, the bp, or the bats that are having serious issues. Not sure what we’ll get from Cain today but clearly the offense has taken the day off. Frustrating to watch.

Just wondering

Wreck … the whole series is a hat tippers special. Really, you have tip your cap to the whole Marlins organization. Anything but admit the Giants are playing with their heads up …

Giant PITA

Top of the order due up. Time to get on the board!

Doughnut

That was an impressive hit by Ozuna. He has been killing us all series. They basically have 4 guys in their lineup that are solid hitters or better

Ty

Good thing the Dodgers gave up on Eovaldi guy. He’s got a nasty stuff.

In a Gnats uniform, Eovaldi would be a No. 1 starter, even ahead of Zito.

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Has Buster Posey been pulling his weight? I don’t think so ! Yeah he’s NL MVP but he’s hitting like crap if you ask me. Posey deserves some of the blame also .

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Giants tryin to find their hittin shoes says KUIP. Ya Think?

Polioptila

“Has Busted Poseur been pulling his weight? I don’t think so ! Yeah he’s NL MVP but he’s hitting like crap if you ask me. Poseur deserves some of the blame also .”

Poseur for MOP (Most Overrated Player)

Flapjack

Eovaldi is just another middling pitcher who the Giants can’t figure out. Not the first, won’t be the last.

OMT

Can’t WAIT for this loooooong road trip when I don’t have to watch some lady with a stupid fishing pole in her hand for 20 seconds. Thank God!, there are no roaming camera people looking for stupid annoying pointless distractions in the middle of a baseball broadcast.

OMT

And how about a dang Weaver here!!

Flapjack

A lot of you think the long ball is overrated but this is exactly the kind of game where the lack of power becomes brutally obvious.

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Overcast day perfect baseball weather.

Mike

Belt is so slow. lol

Polioptila

For Brandi Belt, it’s a moral victory to string it out for so many pitches before he ultimately hits his weak grounder.

Flapjack

Good lord, Belt gets a fastball right down the middle and can’t hit it, then rolls the next pitch over. Is there a Huff curse at first?

OMT

Nope, 3 run homers are just to much to ask of our 4 & 5 hitters.

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Mike: Watch what you say about Belt some of the people on this board will attack if you say anything negative about the FRANCHISE BB9!

Yep. That’s Huff wearing #9. Actually, it’s Huff at every position in the lineup, with a touch of Johnnie Lee LeMaster thrown in for good, futile, inept measure.

Polioptila

“Good lord, Belt gets a fastball right down the middle and can’t hit it, then rolls the next pitch over. Is there a Huff curse at first?”

It’s not his fault he’s a minor talent. Who signed him, anyway?

TrainWreck

Three-run homers? Dream on. How about a one-run single? Nope, that’s too much to expect.

Polioptila

“How about a one-run single? Nope, that’s too much to expect.”

From Brandi Belt, it certainly is.

Lefty

Belt looked pretty fast to me yesterday when I was at the game and he got a hustle double. He’s no Blanco, but he’s not Pablo or Posey, either. Is that “attacking” to say that, Baldheadslick? Or maybe just a difference of opinion?

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

I honestly think that when the panda returns the line up will start to click somewhat, especially if Blanco continues to hit. If Blanco starts to slump at the lead off spot we might have some issues folks because he needs to be the spark.

MLBSF

So far so good.

smh

Oh and it looks like the Rockies’ offense is heating up just in time for our series with them in Denver next weekend.

I’m sure that will go well.

Ah well. At least I haven’t had to read any long boring poems today.

We had a poet on the Sharks blog. It was absolutely excruciating for me to deal with.

http://nada paul in p.v.

Hate to say it, but Belt was like molasses coming out of the box, and I think he could’ve beat that grounder out after Morrison kicked it around twice…

Polioptila

The Brandis are both at their best today!

MLBSF

BALDHEADSLICK1 says:
June 23rd, 2013 at 2:01 pm

Has Buster Posey been pulling his weight? I don’t think so ! Yeah he’s NL MVP but he’s hitting like crap if you ask me. Posey deserves some of the blame also .
——

Posey is the least of our worries. In fact he doesn’t deserve any of our worries.

I would just say he does hit a very quiet .310

I’d be curious what he is hitting with runners in scoring position.

Maybe the poet can look that up for me.

smh

Polioptila

Torres is in the groove again!

TrainWreck

Three simple words sum it up:

1. Un

2. watch

3. able

Polioptila

Isn’t this Gnatt Cain’s usual meltdown inning?

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

LEFTY: Is Belt paying your mortgage? The guy is not that good, average at best and i could give a damn about what you think, he’s sad. The only reason why he’s still the G’s 1b is because there’s nobody else down in the pathetic minor leagues who can do any better . Somebody has to play 1b. He’s a average hitter at best. A Mark Grace wannabe.

Polioptila

“LEFTY: Is Belt paying your mortgage? The guy is not that good, average at best and i could give a damn about what you think, he’s sad. The only reason why he’s still the G’s 1b is because there’s nobody else down in the pathetic minor leagues who can do any better . Somebody has to play 1b. He’s a average hitter at best. A Mark Grace wannabe.”

Slick goes a little too easy on Brandi.

Lefty

Wow, Baldheadslick, hostile much? No need to be so rude. Did Belt run over your dog or ditch your sister at the prom?

And not that it’s your business, but I pay my own mortgage with my own job. Thanks for asking.

Foothills Ryan

Dodgers gave up Eovaldi for HanRam??

Whoops.

Easy upper 90′s with serious run. The fish could be contenders in contenders in a couple years. Or back to a .500 team in 2.

Kyle Perizi

Doh !

Giant PITA

E-3

Polioptila

It is looking like the anticipated Gnatt Cain meltdown inning, isn’t it?

Doughnut

Doesn’t seem like Cain is throwing his change up enough. I think thats his best pitch

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Not a dog lover and I don’t have a sister so your wrong as usual LEFTY.

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

I assume that error by Belt was a hit in your mind huh LEFTY?

Polioptila

“Doesn’t seem like Cain is throwing his change up enough. I think thats his best pitch*”

*Doesn’t really have a best pitch.

Foothills Ryan

At least the Giants will not have been swept by the Marlins.

Is it possible I was too kind on their power ranking?

I’ve pretty much got the NL nailed, but could use some help for the AL> Let me know if you have disputes or suggestions. Thanx!

Not really the full Gnatt Cain meltdown we all anticipated, but probably good enough for today.

MLBSF

Looks like this terrible Giants team is causing BALDHEADSLICK1 to turn on Lefty.

I think the feuding is going to get worse on this upcoming road trip.

Giant PITA

C’mon baldy, no matter how much Lefty is enamored with belt, she doesn’t deserve your rude comments.

Matthew

Baldy is borderline obsessed with Lefty…

Doughnut

Matthew

Good call!

Polioptila

Disappointing that Gnatt Cain failed to get his ERA back above five.

avwh

Where’d all the trolls come from?
Jeez, must be a bunch of frustrated Phillie fans or something, dumping on nearly everybody nearly all the time.

OMT

Will the leadoff triple score?

Doughnut

Eovaldi is getting every borderline pitch today. That was maybe a strike. But he gets the benefit of the doubt on every pitch. I didn’t see Cain getting this many borderline ones

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

matthew: thats pretty funny.

Polioptila

“Will the leadoff triple score?”

Not if Micro Scrotumo has anything to do with it.

Giant PITA

OMT. Yes

Giant PITA

Clark we need you! Our board has been infested with troll pests.

Matthew

Wegner has a plane to catch…

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Not tryin to be rude but everytime someone says something thats maybe a negative jab towards BB9 Lefty needs to chime in . I’m done with it now. The fact is he is not as good as some people think he is. Maybe later on but right now he isn’t.

Polioptila

The Busted Poseur comes through again!

avwh

Gary Brown just hit his 7th homer in 14 games. Has a 14-game hitting streak, too.

OMT

I must say I’m much calmer driving across state listening instead of watching. Hope my DVR rewards me again.

Polioptila

“Gary Brown just hit his 7th homer in 14 games. Has a 14-game hitting streak, too.”

Forging an illustrious minor league career!

Matthew

Baldy, it’s not clear to me how you feel about a couple of things: Brandon Belt and Lefty…

Could you please post about 30 or so times on both? Thanks

Doughnut

strike zone is massive. Get away day sz

Kyle Perizi

Pita :

The trolls are here because many posters continue to interact with them .

OMT

At least those 30 posts would be shorter than those 2 essays today.

http://nada paul in p.v.

Matthew – this kinda game (and series) brings out the worst in some of us. At least it started raining down here and cooled us off. snorkel

Chin Music

This team has the look of one that will not get it together for 2013.

Early on they were scoring lots of runs but the starting pitching was shabby along with the defense. Now the starters are improved but they can’t score and the injuries have added to the woes. Things are way out of whack.

It’s only June, but some years are just like that. It’s gonna take a lot to turn this train wreck around.

OMT

I’m only seeing one troll right now. It’s a disease.

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Matthew: I’m done for awhile i’ll let someone else do the typing while i just read em. BALDHEADSLICK1″s in timeout mode right now.

MLBSF

Giant PITA says:
June 23rd, 2013 at 2:49 pm

Clark we need you! Our board has been infested with troll pests.
======

Um,

It’s Alex’s board.

You’re just a guest like everyone else.

“our board” like it’s a private club or something.

smh

channelclemente

paul,

that’s in part because the trolls are so plentiful, many long time posters are abandoning the discussion.

OMT

Miracle just happened

http://nada paul in p.v.

HUNTER!!!

It seems like he does something special every day. It’s hard not to love this guy.

Doughnut

FU Redmond. Take longer

Kyle Perizi

Pence deserves a ceremony for that blast , as well as an AS appearance .

I say we all take a timeout and see if the P-disease just keeps posting by him/herself.

Kyle Perizi

Joaquin !

Giant PITA

Is Torres up to stealing 2B? I don’t want to see a DP!

Matthew

Hope so, PITA….

Matthew

I guess Torres’ knee issue kept him planted on first?

Kyle Perizi

Que lastima .

Polioptila

Arias gets the job done!

Doughnut

Damn frustrating.

Mo P

Ah but it’s only June…

how many innings have the marlins led in this series? Seems like a ton.

All those come from behind wins are starting to even out now…

Starters cooked the pen, who were great in the first two months. Now they are gassed or getting hurt or just ineffective.

http://nada paul in p.v.

Beat it, plop.

Giant PITA

@ OMT,

If everyone but the trolls stops posting they’ll be rewarded. You’re earlier direction to completely ignore them is a better course of action. They’ll fade away if they receive no attention.

Mo P

Matthew: If you think Coletti has done a bad job, have you seen the last two drafts by the giants? Trainwreck!

I think the Raiders organization was in the draft room.

(sans Agosta)

H-Boston

Just a question would anybody have
tried a squeeze(suicide or safety) with
1 out, Belt on third, Torres on 1st, and
Arias at the plate, down 3-2, bottom of
the 7th?

The Oracle

I will make two observations:

1. You’re never going to get very far here attacking Lefty. You’ll just end up making yourself look bad.

2. Polioptila is definitely the worst of all the trolls. NEVER any thing clever, or even mildly amusing to say. Just dumb. ZERO troll talent.

Kyle Perizi

The guy behind Buster is not being consistent with his strike zone .

Polioptila

Where’s Affeldt when you need him? Bochy just wasted Giancarlo’s AB!

Giant PITA

H,
Big head tried a safety squeeze yesterday and it failed. It will likely be quite a while before he tries it again.

Doughnut

Arias has to come through in that spot. Runner on 3rd 1 out. Get it done

Giant PITA

Oracle +++

http://nada paul in p.v.

All right let’s win this game for Dunning right here.

Sam

Rule # 1 for a troll is to be funny and creative. Something that polio obviously lacks.

OMT

Pita, I only said that because Polio is the only troll I see today, and thought it would be funny to just see it post by itself for 10-20 mins or so. But it’s cool, carry on y’all.

Sam

How many outs are they going to give away on bad base running? Can’t have it with lack of power

Doughnut

Marco, why???

H-Boston

I’m a little lacking in updates
as I’m in Boston and watch it
on game channel on yahoo
unless I watch every pitch
I miss something, I guess
I’ll have to break down and
buy MLB package, I presume
it’s out there.

http://nada paul in p.v.

Sam – agree, but Scoots was trying to stay out of a DP, which is what Buster would’ve delivered as it turned out…

Kyle Perizi

When it comes to base stealing :

Never get caught and never rat on your friends .

Doughnut

Hard to believe some of the mistakes we are making. Unreal

Just wondering

PITA … safety squeeze failed because a) it was a safety squeeze … if the runner is going with the pitch, he scores, and b) the runner doesn’t know how to slide. The plate was wide open for anything but a head-first slide trying to get a hand past a leg. The tag could have been easily avoided, even considering the late break.

Polioptila

The Busted Poseur does it again!

OMT

Can someone tell me the Giants record in Miami for the past couple of years. I can voice text and drive but I can’t look stats up at the same time.

Doughnut

I think they walk Buster even if he makes it

Giant PITA

Very bad getting hosed at 2B. Just can’t make those mistakes when the margin is so very thin for the Gs to win.

Matthew

Miami actually plays solid fundamental ball. That play by Lucas yo nail Marco was perfect…I get why Marco tried it, to take away he DO…still a big risk.

Until Buster starts hitting this team has no chance at all. You could see in that 8th inning AB that he’s lost at the plate right now. Of course, the previous AB where he watched two fastballs down Broadway and then struck out on a checked swing didn’t look too good either.

The Oracle

As an example, some have called Sam a troll (i don’t agree), and he does seem to enjoy irritating people at times, but he he’s also sharp, knowledgable, and can be sarcastically entertaining. Set your sights higher, Polioptila. Be the best troll you can be. Right now, you’re the Steve Edlefsen of trolls.

The Oracle

Here’s another example of a pointless double switch. If the game does go extra innings, would you rather have Machi for a second inning or Posey still in the lineup?

Polioptila

“Very bad getting hosed at 2B. Just can’t make those mistakes when the margin is so very thin for the Gs to win.”

Didn’t really matter. The Busted Poseur would have GIDP’d in any event.

Giant PITA

Matt, ur right. The fish made perfect throws and put on perfect tag to get Scoots.

Polioptila

Machi comes through. The ‘pen is deep!

Doughnut

You never know what you are getting with Machi. If he has it he can be solid but so many games he falls behind hitters and everything is a grind. You have to throw strikes as a reliever. He has no idea what the ball is going to do most nights.

Michael

I just regained consciousness after the question as to what it would take to get Trout: Augusta, San Jose, Panik, Susac, Peguero, and Kieschnick..

Giant PITA

Machi needs a bus ticket!

Ty

Scutaro hit well today. But he took an unnecessary gamble.

Kyle Perizi

These guys can’t swim back to Miami soon enough for me .

OMT

TO @ 3:34

Agree

Like Sam’s sense a humor too, I’d add.

stickman

Giants keep coming up with new and exciting modes for losing ballgames.

Early in the season the defense was porous, sometimes even from guys who are normally rock steady. Then the Rotation went south. It became almost impossible to find a starter capable of going a solid 5 innings. Then the hitting went sour. Batting averages dipped and home runs were nowhere to be found. That got sorted out in tune with improved starting pitching. Then, because of their workload the Pen started sagging. This was followed by rafts of injuries throughout the lineup and into the Rotation and the Bullpen. Running out of new possibilities the latest fad has proven to be running ~ like in running themselves out of games.

What new way to lose are they gonna discover next? Replays of the old stuff gets tedious and boring. So, somebody help me. What next?

Kyle Perizi

Oracle :

Sam is runnitt .

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

OK I’m out of timeout mode. This team stinks out loud!

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

I think I’ll go outside and flatten my neighbors tires while their on vacation,all because this team stinks!

Giant PITA

I’m ready to see Hembree now. Seen too much Machi now.

Sam

I think most people here are smart enough to know that your wrong kyle

Someone could have watched the series and known that Ozuna can hit a fastball

Giant PITA

Ugh!

The Oracle

Machi is providing some support for Bochy’s belief that bullpen help should be the #1 priority.

Stan

Beer league pitcher AND a belly itcher!

“Stan’s blog and Observations” devastatingly real! Muy Calliente!

Ty

Well it’s over now.

Giant PITA

Why take him out now? Let him wear it. It’s over anyway!

Kyle Perizi

The best thing about this game for Gs fans is that the Gs didn’t cough up any leads .

Peter

Gonna need a bigger bullpen.

Sam

Well we know who I’m taking to Fresno when Casilla gets back

OMT

Kyle, don’t be a troll.

South City Jim

I feel somewhat responsible for this. Yesterday I asked for a blase’ 7-2 win. Perhaps I wasn’t specific enough on who the winner would be.

Doughnut

I don’t see how the Giants can keep Machi on the roster. You have no idea what you are going to get. He works at a terrible pace. Has no idea what the ball is going to do which means any given night he could fall behind and start walking guys. You can’t justify pitching him in ANY high leverage situations right now. Just don’t know what to expect.

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Something about the following year after winning a WS where things don’t seem to go quite right for the SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Angry Dan

My post from last Saturday partially defending Bochy for sticking with Gaudin in Atlanta:

Gaudin was leaking oil, but the bench is short a man and the bullpen is short a Gaudin, who would normally be the guy brought in for the 6th inning there with a 3-run lead. I understand the hesitancy to bring in the likes of Dunning/Rosario/Mijares/Machi to protect a lead in the 6th inning.

Michael

Hembree is getting bombed in Fresno, he’s not coming up. If they option or DFA Machi, it will be Kontos.

SF Giants Tommy

Wow. Stunning how unbearable this team is to watch now.

Foothills Ryan

I just discovered a mistake in this morning’s Power Rankings. Apparently I had the Giants and Marlins switched up. Mad bad…

I kid the optimistic fans. The Giants will be fine. They probably won’t win the World Series and they may not make the playoffs, but they’ll be fine. Think .500 or better.

Get a starter. Push Gaudin and eventually Lincecum to pen. Casilla comes back soon. Pick up bullpen help later if needed. Yada yada yada…

Jesse

Everything falls back to its place… Machi has been a garbage pitcher his whole life he was just a fluke no hes back to it.

SurfCity

Bochy nailed what many of us have been saying. All I can do is repeat the comment I’ve been making:

The Giants need to acquire 2 good middle relievers. They also should acquire a starting pitcher if possible. Trading for new outfielder or any other position is the lowest priority and should not be undertaken if it means not fixing the pitching.

A couple of new arms will make the whole staff better.

Polioptila

“Hembree is getting bombed in Fresno, he’s not coming up. If they option or DFA Machi, it will be Kontos.”

Kontos needs to come back up so he can serve his suspension!

Mo P

Foothills. Not make the playoffs and fine? A 160 million dollar payroll suggests that not making the playoffs and fine do not fit together.

They are fine if they are the Colorado Rockies or Dbacks and don’t make the playoffs.

Polioptila

Brandi Belt keeps it going!

Matthew

SCJ, I was about to call you out on that… But you did it for me.

Mo P

In fact I would argue, if they are going to be average like they have been all year, then might as well build the farm system and sell off some of these players playing for contracts.

Let’s turn a Wheeler deal into our favor for once.

http://yahoo BALDHEADSLICK1

Doughnut: That’s how it is with relievers who aren’t good enough to start some day their perfect other days it’s bad, take Rosario for instance he’s had a couple of good outings lately but the guy is not a good P that’s why he’s been around with different teams. Relievers move around a lot from team to team because every other year their productive when their bad more then likely they’re sent down or DFA, baseball is brutal like that.

Mo P

SurfCity: The two relievers you speak of are named Jeremy Affeldt & Santiago Casilla.

Both aren’t contributing right now, but when they are back to their normal self, that fills that void.

Polioptila

Does it surprise anybody that the Fish would be indifferent toward Brandi Clubfoot?

Matthew

There are several trends coming out of this series:

Buster looks flat. I can’t say he is tired, but the AB’s look uninspired.
The bullpen quantity over quality makeup is hurting us
Bruce is slumping.
We are lacking power AND not manufacturing runs right now

Polioptila

“SurfCity: The two relievers you speak of are named Jeremy Affeldt & Santiago Casilla.

Both aren’t contributing right now, but when they are back to their normal self, that fills that void.”

They are already back to their normal selves.

Sam

Payroll was just a shade under 137 mil, not 160 mil

bad kitty

Below sub-par play Giants. Macchi is a mess; Buster cannot hit a ball into play and he cannot throw people out. And since their over-all play is weak their base running needs to be excellent and it’s not. A very disappointing series Giants. Matt C. still pitching too many lobs in the strike zone…..ugh!

Michael

210. So we have dunderheads who think Kontos will never come back because of a 3 game suspension? I have a few clues for sale, better buy one or you’ll remain clueless for life.

H-Boston

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching
if you don’t have it you won’t
win, obviously

Who would make this
trade: Belt, Crawford,Hembre
for Verlander?and I’m a
diehard Belt fan

http://nada paul in p.v.

Consolation: Doyers beat the Pads, Snakes are losing. And the temperature dropped 10* down here. snorkel

Foothills Ryan

The Good News is that the Pirates just went ahead of the Angels by 3 and you know The Grill Master will shut it down.

Pedro Alvarez with his 19th !

Go Pirates!

Giant PITA

Kuip:
The marlins had a bunch of guys on the mound and in the line up that I’d never heard of, but they all played wonderfully.

So why can’t the Giants who have guys we have heard of, playing at home, be at least as good? Maddening!

the ineptness of the giants. and their inability . where do we go from here?

Doughnut

Marlins were one of the worst teams i have ever seen to start the year. Why do we have to play them when they get Stanton and Morrison back. Not to mention they call up Ozuna who has been tearing up the league. We should still be winning this series but the Marlins are playing much better now then they ever have this year.

Jesse

H-BOston

You must be joking??

Why on earth would Detroit want Belt (whos a mediocre 1B) when they have one of the best in Fielder? they also have one of the best batting SS this year in Peralta and Hembree right now is struggling really bad.

Detroit management won’t even answer that phone call.

TrainWreck

The better team won.

Blah

@408svl

The cellar…

dj

Noo down, fatso back

Michael

Man, there’s not room for all of you on the ledge. Somebody shove Polioptila and it will be safer for the rest of you.

.oil can boyd

send down Machi bring up Heston or Kickham to start in Gaudin’s. send Chad to bullpen.

“210. So we have dunderheads who think Kontos will never come back because of a 3 game suspension? I have a few clues for sale, better buy one or you’ll remain clueless for life.”

So they’re going to call up an emergency short reliever who has to sit three games before he’s allowed on the mound? Even Bochy and Sabean aren’t that dumb.

ClutchUp

TotalFan62:

Been on the field with a double header of our own from about 9am until a few minutes ago. I saw that Lefty mentioned Bruce Jenkins twitter link … but below find the full story.

Btw, I don’t have a subscription either (or is it Ither). I always Google “Bruce Jenkins and the search words”/Title of the Hard Copy and it always shows up for me without paying (and it’s a much different copy than the Chron)

Title: “Barry Zito is an original – just like his dad”

I was privileged to have known Barry Zito’s father, who passed away this week. I spent a wonderful afternoon in the Southern California home of Joe and Roberta Zito back in 2002, while Barry still pitched for the A’s, and I found him best characterized as an original. If only there were more like him in this world.

I’ll admit, I had a hell of a head start that day. Joe and my father, Gordon, both arranged and conducted orchestras for the great Nat King Cole, and Roberta, a multitalented musician, toured with Cole as a backup singer in the early 1960s. So I hit the ground running with Joe – and he took it from there.

His heritage was 100 percent Italian. He told me that his father, from the Calabria region, “was a four-star general in the Italian army. He was partners with Benito Mussolini in the first World War, before Mussolini went insane (laughter). They opened a newspaper together. Giuseppe Zito would be the equivalent of America’s Sergeant York, for all the medals he won in battle.”

There wasn’t a hint of bombast in Joe’s words. It took some prodding before I got him to reveal that, as his musical career took flight, he took in a down-and-out Charlie Parker for a couple of nights, worked with Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra, arranged for the Ed Sullivan and Red Skelton TV shows and rehearsed Marilyn Monroe for a film that required her to sing. He felt a lot more comfortable exposing himself as a so-so piano player, to the point where Cole once told him, jokingly, “Joe, don’t play. You’re gonna break me of the habit of loving music.”

Joe was New York born and raised, but once he and Roberta settled in California and produced a son, he turned his back on a lovely career. “Basically,” Barry said, “he quit music for 11 years to work with me.”

Try to imagine it: In a house where the very best music was understood and embraced, Joe decided to make his kid a pitcher. He knew nothing of technique or mechanics, but he built a mound in his backyard, read books, studied videos, even enlisted the great Randy Jones, crafty left-hander of the San Diego Padres, to work privately with Barry.

“He’s been throwing that great curveball since he was 8 years old,” said Roberta. “We’ve got video from back then: this little kid, long hair, enormous glove, throwing that curveball, guys swinging and missing.”

As Joe recalled, “We were out in the backyard seven days a week, from when he was 8 until he went to college. Every day, summer or winter. Because I didn’t know any other way. When you’re trained in classical music, you toe the line, you do the work, and the results come. ‘You’ll kill his arm,’ people said, but obviously that never happened.

“I used to tell him about a little patch of land in New York City. Big buildings all around, and here’s two guys digging a hole in the ground. Another guy comes by, says, ‘I’ve been watching you. What’s with this big dirty hole you’re digging every day?’ And one of the guys says, ‘That’s not a hole. That’s a skyscraper.’ And that’s what I always told Barry. ‘Nobody knows what we’re doing back here. But we know.’ ”

When I interviewed Zito back in San Francisco, he kept coming back to the power of positive thought, instilled in him with such dedication by both of his parents. It’s an approach to life that carried him through every crisis he ever faced. He grew up into one of the smartest and healthiest pitchers who ever lived: hardly perfect but retiring big-league hitters, to this day, with that curveball and his mind.

On Saturday at AT&T Park, Zito makes his first start in the wake of his father’s death. You get the idea he’ll be OK, for a very good reason. The son is an original, as well.

-Bruce Jenkins-
6/20/2013

avwh

Giants got out-pitched, out-slugged, and out-scored by a team that also played better defense, had a sounder bullpen, and was fundamentally more sound than them.

Hard to believe a team that came in 22-49 could do all that, but they did.

Stan

I want to be honest here. Didn’t you KNOW that Machi was going to blow the game? like,I had no doubt.
It wasn’t just me was it?

TrainWreck

The plunge to also-ran status gains speed and momentum. The hungry and hustling Fish threw sand in the faces of the inept and utterly impotent home squad. Hey, on the bright side, maybe Sabean can make another big move. How about Kyle Crick to the Rangers for Lance Berkman? Will lightning strike twice?

Kyle Perizi

The best way to get a game like todays out of your system is by viewing a quality motion picture , like , ” Bruno .”

Polioptila

Jenkins tells us why Zito remains the Gnats No. 1 starter.

Kyle Perizi

Boston has traded Doc Rivers to the Clippers . Wow.

Just wondering

Point of order: It is NEVER a consolation when the Dodgers beat anyone … unless and until they are eliminated, it is ALWAYS better when the Dodgers lose, and the bigger the loss, the better

ClutchUp

When a team, your team is scuffling, one can either do what they do and ride it out and hunker down and stick together.

When all goes wrong, the only thing the players have is their belief in each other and all the skipper has is 25 high character guys.

You can bail, or you can be a real fan and hang around.

Your choice.

thefarnz

Clutch, great post about Zito’s family. I love that kind of history stuff.
Also, because of all the troll posts alot of regs are leaving this blog…too bad, it was very good once.

Just wondering

Who’s bailing? We just hope the latest embarrassment spurs some changes in behavior. As you say, we can only wait and see. Previous embarrassments this year have not. This could be the one.

Michael

Poppy: I didn’t say s**t about calling Kontos up as an “emergency short reliever”. He’ll be up soon for the duration. What they’ll do if Gaudin can’t go Tuedasy is an entirely different matter. Try to keep track. Better yet, troll on the Splash.

H-Boston

Jesse,

Your right, I guess to get Verlander
you would probably, have to
mortgage the team, ala Beltran
for Zack Wheeler

Who has a solution, I suggested
11 position players, 14 pitchers
2 days ago, but someone reasonable
said it won’t work.

Stan

wow- Bruce had more to say about the life of Joe Zito then his own son. Zito only said don’t worry about him,he’s positive the death wont be on his mind..

Mooooooooooose

BALDHEADSLICK1 says:
June 23rd, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Something about the following year after winning a WS where things don’t seem to go quite right for the SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS.

– - – - – - –

Anywhere but here, most people would think this is a good problem to have every other year!

Michael

A Verlander might get traded if his team is
1. out of contention and
2. in rebuilding mode

So in this case Verlander isn’t being traded. period. For anything. Even asking would get a GM laughed out of baseball.

Polioptila

“So in this case Verlander isn’t being traded. period. For anything. Even asking would get a GM laughed out of baseball.”

Well, Sabean might get Verlander straight up for Kontos, but for the three-game suspension!

Sam

Fuking idiots. Verlander and Trout trade talk. This place has really gone to $hit.

Larry

Another loss. Why couldn’t Cain come out for another inning? More men left on base, squandering scoring chances. What a time for this lineup to stop hitting, right before a series against the Dodgers. I’m afraid the Dodgers sweep us, Sandoval or no Sandoval in the lineup.
Yeah, I also had to wonder why Machi was out there again in the top of the ninth, but I have to go back to the previous innings when the Giants couldn’t score runs. Scutero being thrown out trying to get to second really hurt, but Posey, whom you’d expect to drive in Blanco, grounds out.
Well, since May 13, the Giants are 15-22. They were completely healthy going into Toronto and Denver, and they were 1-5 on that road trip, after being 23-15 May 13. I think the beginning of this habit of losing started then, no matter who is pitching or playing!

Larry

Raul Ibanez hits a few homeruns today. Wouldn’t it have made sense for Sabean to have signed him up last winter? Itchero Suzuki too, for that matter. If the Yankees keep losing and drop in the standings, and the Mariners continue to be losers, I’d say Sabean needs to check on getting either one of them, if, if, if….Pagan is through for the season.

Polioptila

“Another loss. Why couldn’t Cain come out for another inning?”

Because, having narrowed averted his meltdown inning in the sixth, Gnatt cain was guaranteed to do so in the seventh. And Bochy, who is a players’ manager, wanted to help him keep his ERA below 5.

Sam

Cain was over 100 pitches and was due to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Made sense to PH in that situation down by 3.

I must say, I use to know
baseball cold, but some of these
Posters are showing me up,
I guess I have to get back in
baseball knowlege shape!

ClutchUp

Sam excellent points. Its not just the trolls its the complete inarticulateness of said trolldom. Know one knows what polio is actually trying to accomplish and just waunering and mlbfraknfrik schtick has nored me from day one.

I mis the Oracles ex, 17yr old Rumor Central, SARMIENGENTO, and IamtheidiotTitoMac.

Miss Cleo, Sonia and Andrea the Astrologer runn rings around this current batch of TrollyTops.

Hey BaldSLICK one. You were WAY OUT OF LINE earlier cheap shotting Lefty. One because he’s their, our, your firstbaseman. If he was as bad, all the Giants Brass would have you on speed dialing. You must feel like a real Brotha trying to emotionally rip on a female. Nice job. Cla$$les Bro Cla$$less Brohom.

Sam

Trade speculation is OK, but Verlander just signed a five year extension while still having 2 years to go on current deal. He has a no trade clause in his deal. He is not available. Trout is making 500,000 producing like a guy making 20 mil. He is under team control for 5 more years. He is not available.

Speculate about players available on the trade market.

jankie1

I am not a troll. Newsflash folks: This team is not going to be fine.

They are a bad baseball team, as in: They don’t do anything particularily well. We have 2/5 of a rotation, no power, no plate discipline, and our bullpen has gone from very good to outright mediocre.

Injuries are not the cause of this team and organizations downfall. I mean…Pagan had a .314 OBP when he went down. Casilla’s injury has hurt the most.

The biggest issue is this team has absolutely no fire. They play with no heart. They don’t do the little things to win close games.

They are just a bad baseball team.

Period.

channelclemente

Noonan down for Sandoval.

South City Jim

Ironic but Bums might be tougher to beat right now with Kemp out. He’s been a human rally killer for them against us so far this season.

E-B

hey guys, i missed the game, but looked over the play-by-play.

Not trying to make excuses or anything, but folks, our bench-like team put guys on base, in scoring position, 2 or 3 times in this game…at 3B, no less. They at least created some chances against a guy throwing 97/98.

Overall, in this series, it seems our baserunning blunders shot ourselves in the foot, so to speak. In Timmy’s game, if Torres stays at 2B, Timmy’s 3x scores him to go ahead. In today’s game, if Scoot’s aggressive attempt for 2B doesn’t happen, the we score the tying run even w/ a DB. And, 2 games ago, if Blanco stays at 2B instead of getting himself out, then we score 2 runs instead of having to wait for our MVP to score from 1st on Pence’s 2x. Well, nuff said, but u get the point–smarter baserunning would have made a huge difference in this series, bcuz r guys created many chances to score.

Those kinds of errors can be fixed. That is good news. Now they just have to fix it.

It seems like each individual guy is pressing, perhaps each trying to shoulder the whole team, instead of relying in each link in the chain, as they did in the playoffs last year. And, it’s understandable, bcuz the Club is really missing some pillars in the l/u and b/p.

SCJ called for a Pence sermon. I second that. Something to get the guys to relax and play good quality baseball that they’re fully capable of doing.

Bochy’s preference for BP help is on-target. He’s in the trenches and knows the most immediate need. I think Sabes/FO will find the guys to fill-in those spots, just as they did in 2010.

Also, said it b4, will say it again: I think acquiring a BP arm will be EZer than a SP. Why? Bcuz 29 other teams want a SP such as Bud Norris or Yovanni Gallardo, and many of those teams have fully stocked farms to pilfer. We don’t.

Alex’s stat for our SP was encouraging: “Giants starters actually have a 2.30 ERA the past two times through the rotation.” I think alot of that has to do w/ Matty’s adjustments (see his post-game i-view, a few games ago), followed by Madison+Buster’s new approach of making adjustments on the fly, in-game, rather than following a rote plan. That, to me, is the most encouraging news of all. It means that this team has the opportunity to get the most outta their pitching staff, who has the potential to be one of the best rotations in baseball. (note, I say, potential)

Now, the second part of the pitching, for this P+D team. The BP. We need someone now to take Gaudin’s place in the BP, even when Casilla is due to return in a few weeks. Would be even better if that person could be a ‘swing’ guy, perhaps to switch off w/ Gaudin. I dunno who that should be, nor do I know who’s avail, but I think the market is better for a BP arm than SP.

The 3rd izzue for this team is the loss of Pagan’s bat in the l/u, even after we get The Bear back. Perez’s glove is far superior to Pagan’s, but it remains to be seen if his bat is as good (not looking like it is so far). So, maybe they go out and get an OF veteran bat for the bench? (btw, did anyone see how 41-yr old Henry Blanco went yard on his 1st day on the job? 41-yr old? They got him for a dime too, and looks like he’ll be catching too. Incredible. Not saying that’s our MO, but maybe some contending team makes room on their roster for some younger guy, and we get a viable major league bench guy to pinch hit.)

Getting The Bear back will make a difference in the l/u…and we prolly needa be patient w/ his rtn, cuz he’ll be rusty…but, point is, opposing teams gotta pitch to the l/u differently w/ him in the l/u. Just ask Verlander.

Well, nuff said. Just trying to find the positives and places where r guys can improve and play their best baseball.

——————————–
p.s. ha! that was some fun mind-candy, imagining a Verlander trade. Well, i think it’s fair to say that The Bear sorta owns him. DET would needa get him on their side, if they ever gave up Verlander (they won’t; he’s their centerpiece). So, as long as Verlander’s pitching in any league, I want The Bear in our court.

Lefty

“The biggest issue is this team has absolutely no fire. They play with no heart. They don’t do the little things to win close games.”

I could not disagree more with that comment. I was at the game yesterday. It was the absolute antithesis of every word you just said:

–Zito gutting out seven innings, only 1 run, with his heart breaking
–the bullpen putting up four zeroes, and getting one tough out after another
–Pence diving desperately to catch that ball and save the go-ahead run
–Blanco and Posey hustling to get infield hits and set up the winning run
–Hector coming off the bench and getting it done when he’s barely played at all

If anything, I think they’re pressing and making mistakes. I saw Scutaro’s face after he got thrown out at second. He looked absolutely devastated. He knew he’d made a critical mistake late in a close game they really needed to win.

They may or may not be good enough to turn things around. Things could get better. They could definitely get worse. But “no fire,” “no heart”? I don’t know how anyone could watch this team and think that.

E-B

Lefty, 6:09pm: +

totally agree.
r guys r playing their hearts out, and trying to do everything…all at once…to help their team score more runs.

they are pressing.

that’s why i’m calling for a Pence sermon to help the guys relax, and take the world off each individual shoulder, and rely on each other instead o trying to do everything all at once.

what’s most encouraging to me is it appears that the SP is turning around. I give Matty allota credit for sorta leading the way…how to think about those clutch situations. I notice that our starters have returned to staying poised, even after giving up a HR or run.

just finding the positives.

pacman68

One word for this game

BARF!!

Lefty

E-B: The problem is that Pence is one of the guys pressing the most…I really wonder if he needs a day. I think Bochy needs to be the Reverend this time.

Yesterday and today you could sense it: “We can’t keep losing to the Marlins in front of all these fans.” You could sense it from the fans in the park, too. So you have base-running mistakes, bad pitches, overanxious ABs, defensive miscues. Everybody trying to be a hero.

I agree with you about the starters. I get that a lot of people here don’t want to admit anything positive right now, but the starters have turned things around in June, and as they go, so go the Giants.

pacman68

Sabean was really asleep at the wheel in the off season in —

== Not signing Jason Grilli when he could have got him for nothing in the off season. A lot of people on this site were begging to sign him.

== Not signing another starter when 4 out of your 5 starters have over 200 innings the last 2 seasons.

== Not getting a legitimate left fielder. He rolled the dice on Blanco and so far it is paying off. But he didn’t count on Pagan going down.

ClutchUp

I’m not, but many here must be missing the point.

Bochy said: “These are OUR GUYS”.

Meaning the position players that are here now – is who are gonna be here. Quit with the speculation. Its not gonna happen or change. There will be some up and down issues with the Noonans of the world.

Pagan will/might be back and he’s gonna go to CF or LF if he WANTS to. If he doesn’t want to = he goes back to CF.
The LU will be Blanco/PaganCF, Scoots2b, PoseyC, Dandoval 3b, PenceRF, BB9 1b, BlancoLF, CrawfordSS, P.

SurfCity has been right all along. Its Pitching,Pitching, Pitching.

E-B

Lefty: +

Yah, Pence is double-pressing, totally…so maybe not best suited to give a sermon…but dang, who else can put into words, the emotion and desire to play for each other than Pence?

Somethin’ ’bout a guy in the trenches seems to relate to the guys even more than their venerable Skipper?

Maybe Lopie & Scoots & Vogey to get their brain trust together and find a guy to give a sermon. They chose Pence back in Cinci last year, w/ r backs against the wall. They can find another spokesman to get r guys to relax, so their skills and ability can take over.

.oil can boyd

Nate S has an OPS over .900 vs right handers- better than Pence, Posey, Blanco and Scutaro. It would be great to get him back and put him in LF.

Lefty

Here’s a fun game. The Giants have had a pretty bad week, right? Couldn’t score runs, couldn’t beat weaker teams in a home stand. We need to blame someone, so who should we point fingers at?

Here are the seven-day splits (before today’s game) on four regulars in the lineup. Without looking it up, who’s who?

The four players are Blanco, Posey, Pence, and Belt. I left Scutaro and Crawford out because they both missed games with injuries this week.

So which one is which?

http://yahoo Baldheadslick1

Clutchup: I just saw your little comment , so now you wanna make this a little race thing you old ass man. I’d love to talk with you face to face and have you make the exact same statement to me.

http://yahoo Baldheadslick1

Clutch: Start your own damn board and I’m not your bro.

stickman

EB@6:09: Post of the Day. You nailed it, glued it, screwed it and bolted it for good measure. We’re fully in accord on the baserunning having been the key problem lately and you are 100% correct about its correlation with the players pressing.

Got a funny feeling that facing the LaBumbos, with Bumgarner garnering the Bums for starters and Panda back in production; this team will take on a whole different complexion and attitude.

One thing that other posters have mentioned recently, though maybe not today is that SF hit a Miami team that has been all heated up of late. It was one of those quirks of scheduling that brought them to the Bay just as Morrison returned and also additional factors had got that bunch believing in themselves. Nolasco currently actually is their #5 starter and their bullpen was up for a team that is barely treading water at present. They played loose and hungry. Giants played like a wounded beast.

Casilla is not far from returning. That will almost automatically take a lot of pressure off Affeldt so he can return to his accustomed excellence. That is not to say that probably both Mijares and Machi may have outstayed their welcome and that Sabean should be burning up the phone lines right about now. Fact it would surprise me if he has not turned up at least one decent RP from under a log before a week has elapsed.

Kontos will come back at the beginning of a Cain, Bumgarner, Gaudin cycle. His suspended presence may not be greatly missed then, particularly if Sabean has scored a BP arm and Casilla is back.

Was this series the darkest hour which heralds Dawn?

Lefty

Baldheadslick: Clutch & the other guys were sticking up for me. I’m still not quite sure why you got so mad at me for disagreeing with the comments you and another guy made about Belt being “so slow.” But clearly either what I said or how I said it offended you, so I’m sorry.

I’m willing to move on and I hope you are, too. Since you and I are the ones who somehow started this, I hope we can put it to rest and talk about baseball instead of feuding with each other.

Thanks.

http://yahoo Baldheadslick1

Lefty, I’ve nvr had a problem with you I’ve got a problem with clutch sounding as if I’ve disrespected you as a women. Your sex doesn’t hv any bearing on what I say and then Clutch adds the BRO at the end with dollar bill signs substituting the S’s in the word classless. He knows what he’s all about as far as that goes.

http://yahoo Baldheadslick1

Lefty your good with me all the time. All is good!

Michael

When a team is losing and especially when they’re losing and not hitting, it always looks like they’re lacking fire. Throw in a baserunning blunder or two and they’re lacking fire AND brains… Lefty is right, they’re pressing, and every guy thinks he has to do it himself… nothing a little arse kicking down South won’t cure..

Lefty

Baldheadslick1 says:
June 23rd, 2013 at 6:59 pm

Lefty your good with me all the time. All is good!
———–
Thanks.

avwh

Lefty:
Good blind quiz.

My guess is, the two “good” sets of numbers belong to Blanco and Belt; the two “bad” sets belong to Posey and Pence (who both have struggled this homestand).

Lefty

“at the end with dollar bill signs substituting the S’s in the word classless.”

We’ve all been doing the $$ because we usually get moderated if we use words with a-s-s in them. Looks like you didn’t that time, but we all have been doing the $$ thing.

Lefty

avwh:

Right: in order of “good to bad,” it goes:

Blanco
Belt
Posey
Pence

By the way, great pix from yesterday–thanks so much for sharing!

Mooooooooooose

I’m going with Pence, Blanco, Belt, and Posey.

avwh

Glad you enjoyed them, Lefty.

It was cool to see some of the guys in street clothes and being casual. They shared some funny stuff about pregame meals and who wears outrageous clothes, some of which Alex already shared.

Mooooooooooose

Of course, if you go back to June 13, then Pence has 6 more RBI and 6 hits, Posey has 9 more hits and 4 RBI, Belt has 3 hits and 0 RBI, and Blanco has 6 hits and 4 RBI.

Mo P

Well, as the team continues to lose, they fail to lose ground in the standings. Granted just a few days ago they were only a game or so out. It’s now 3 and growing.

They struggled to beat the worst team in the NL (or baseball) at home, and now face the worst team in the NL West, and go on the road where they can’t win.

The starting staff is finally coming around to pitch decently. Just in time after they taxed the pen and the offense has come back to earth.

They get Pablo back, but the pen is completely gassed. It is not looking good, no matter what Kawakami writes.

The Oracle

You know the Giants are struggling when fist fights are almost breaking out on the blog.

MLBSF

Baldheadslick1 says:
June 23rd, 2013 at 6:40 pm

Clutchup: I just saw your little comment , so now you wanna make this a little race thing you old ass man. I’d love to talk with you face to face and have you make the exact same statement to me.
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